Ryan Fraser came through the ranks at Aberdeen with many of those who found themselves in Kris Boyd’s sights during the week, so it is natural that he even more than most bristled at the comments made by the Kilmarnock striker about his fellow professionals.
Stuart Armstrong rather diplomatically said he hadn’t seen Boyd label the inclusion of the Pittodrie players and Rangers’ Ryan Jack in the Scotland squad as a laughing stock, but Fraser was rather more forthcoming in his assessment of the pundit’s views.
While stressing that Boyd is entitled to his opinion, he wonders perhaps if that opinion has changed after watching the game, particularly in the case of Jack, who was a solid performer at right-back.
“I did see it,” said Fraser. “I think the whole squad seen it. We were eating one night, and you see him saying those words. It’s not for me to say.
“I’ve grown up with them, I’ve came up through the ranks with them, and they deserve it as much as everyone else as well. I don’t know what he’s speaking about.
“It’s his opinion. He’s entitled to his opinion. Just because he says it doesn’t mean he’s right, and it doesn’t mean he’s wrong. You just need to get on with it. As a player, if he is going to say stuff like that, you just need to rise above it.
“I thought Jacko did very well. It’s not his position, he hasn’t played right-back this season for Rangers, and he comes in and he’s playing against a world class player like Depay and he keeps him quiet. What more can you ask for? If you ask Kris Boyd now, I bet he won’t be saying that.
“I know Aberdeen and Kilmarnock are playing in a couple of weeks’ time and he’s taken his anger out on (Graeme) Shinnie as well, and they’re both captains, so we’ll see how that one goes.”
Fraser was impressed by the way that Jack handled the boos that came his way from a section of the Tartan Army on Thursday night, although he wasn’t surprised by his mental resilience given his background.
“You knew he was going to get booed a little bit,” he said. “They were booing a bit, but because he was having such a good game, I don’t think the fans could boo him anymore. I thought he did very well and rose above it.
“Where’s he from in Aberdeen as well, it’s not exactly the nicest of places. He’s grown up in a bad part so I’m sure he’s had a lot worse said to him!”
Fraser’s comment about that particular part of his home patch was tongue in cheek, with the winger delighted to be back performing among friends and family in the granite city.
“I was here with the under-21s a couple of years back but was injured, so it was good to get on the pitch,” he said. “It was nice to be back, do you know what I mean? I haven’t really been in Aberdeen for about three years so it was nice to get back and it brought back a few memories.
“Everyone was here. Shinnie, Christie, Jacko – obviously Shinnie wasn’t at Aberdeen but I know him as a Cove lad, where I lived as well. I was actually a bit gutted that we stayed in Edinburgh, because I wanted to stay here and see all the old faces.
“My family still live up here. There was eight of them in total: my mum and dad, my uncle, and cousins and that. I do miss the place and it was nice to see the younger ones as well.”
Fraser was frustrated not to start the game against The Netherlands for Scotland, and then doubly so when he did come on and missed a good chance to drag his side level. That, sadly, is just how his luck is going at the moment.
“That’s kind of how my season has been so far,” he sighed. “I get to the end, do all the hard work, and then I miss the easy bit. I’ve got my confidence back, because I do it in training all the time, and I get there in games and it just doesn’t come off for me.
“I’ve hit the post a couple of times this season when you think it’s going in so I just need that little bit of luck. When that comes I’ll score goals.”
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